Carmen Allen, a close friend of Yarbrough and his family, said she will miss his sense of humor and his smile.

"He had a smile that would light up any room," she said.

Allen described Yarbrough as a "people person" and a "family man," who was always willing to help people.

"He had a humongous family on both sides," Allen said. "This affects a whole lot of people. It's a great loss for us all."

Yarbrough was a great older cousin to his younger family members, Allen said.

"He was so silly, always joking. He was always wrestling and playing with the kids. It was a family tradition, a tradition that should have gone on," Allen said.

And although he loved his entire family, Yarbrough's mother held a special place in his heart.

"He was a momma's boy. He lived with her and loved her," Allen said.

Lamona Gray, Yarbrough's mother, said she was shocked when she heard the news. She said she didn't know why Yarbrough was in Paw Paw that night nor why someone would harm her son.

"I was in total disbelief," she said. "I can't believe that somebody would do that to my son. He didn't bother anybody."

A suspect was arrested within eight hours of Yarbrough's death and will be arraigned Thursday, authorities say. Police have said that the suspect and Yarbrough were acquaintances but declined to describe what led up to the stabbing.

Aaron Mueller is a public safety reporter for the Kalamazoo
Gazette. Contact him at amuelle1@mlive.com or 269-568-3867.
Follow him on Twitter.